"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
As I went wandering drunk down your street
To your window I stumbled by chance and I peeked in on you
Red roses, silk, you in your sleek summer dress
You were light revelation, oh, I love you the best, Valerie
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
Come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
I seen you dancing alone in your room
By the moonlight to a violin the night I fell for you
And out of the darkness you took me by the hand
I went in just a boy and came out with you a man, Valerie
I don't want to be caught blinded thinking there ain't nothing new
I don't need those street kicks anymore, no I only want you
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie, alright
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something new
I don't need those quick fix girls no more, no I only want you
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
As I went wandering drunk down your street
To your window I stumbled by chance and I peeked in on you
Cognac and cola upon your sweet breath
Oh, my angel of darkness, I love you til my death, Valerie
I don't want to be caught blinded thinking there ain't nothing new
You know those street kicks are such a bore cause I only want you
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
To your window I stumbled by chance and I peeked in on you
Red roses, silk, you in your sleek summer dress
You were light revelation, oh, I love you the best, Valerie
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
Come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
I seen you dancing alone in your room
By the moonlight to a violin the night I fell for you
And out of the darkness you took me by the hand
I went in just a boy and came out with you a man, Valerie
I don't want to be caught blinded thinking there ain't nothing new
I don't need those street kicks anymore, no I only want you
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie, alright
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something new
I don't need those quick fix girls no more, no I only want you
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
As I went wandering drunk down your street
To your window I stumbled by chance and I peeked in on you
Cognac and cola upon your sweet breath
Oh, my angel of darkness, I love you til my death, Valerie
I don't want to be caught blinded thinking there ain't nothing new
You know those street kicks are such a bore cause I only want you
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
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